What The Hell?? Bar Manager Called Black Staff Member “Sooty” And Would Tell Him To “Shut Up You Silly Black Man”

Joel Perry, 31, was also routinely called ‘the black man’ by boss Janet Wolszczak. She would also tell Mr Perry to stand underneath the light when she was talking to him so that she could see him. But when Mr Perry made a formal complaint, he was suspended the very next day on false charges of stealing drinks. The pub bain Greene King then decided the abuse was merely “banter” and sacked Mr Perry – while giving Mrs Wolszczak another pub to run.

A panel at Bristol Employment Tribunal found Greene King guilty of racial harassment, direct racial discrimination and victimization. Greene King settled Mr Perry’s claim for compensation out of court after a damning tribunal judgment. Despite the judgment and its failure to fire Mrs Wolszczak, the brewery is still insisting that its response was “appropriate”. Mr Perry, who is of Jamaican origin and from Gloucester, refused to comment on the case or reveal the size of his payout.
But it is believed that Greene King paid him compensation running into several thousands of pounds in return for him signing a confidentiality clause.

In August 2009 Mr Perry started work at the Royal Oak pub in Gloucester, part of Greene King’s Hungry Horse chain. The tribunal heard that Mrs Wolszczak would call Mr Perry ‘Sooty’ and tell him to “shut up, you silly black man”. On one occasion she asked kitchen staff ‘When is Sooty back in?’ When they replied ‘Who’s Sooty?’ she said: “You know – the black man.”

Mr Perry, from Gloucester, told the tribunal: “I found this offensive. “I am truly hurt and upset by this whole situation. Janet has lost all my respect.
“I truly feel by her words that she does not care. I have told her on many occasions that my name is Joel or Perry.” Mr Perry informed Mrs Wolszczak on December 1, 2009 that he would be making a formal complaint to Greene King chiefs about her conduct. The very next day he was falsely accused of helping himself to drinks and suspended by her husband, joint manager Kryn Wolszczak. The following month he was sacked by Greene King. Mrs Wolszczak was given a final written warning that referred to her comments as “banter”.

Greene King strenuously denies condoning racism. In a statement, a Greene King spokesperson said: “The company takes such allegations very seriously and after a full and comprehensive investigation appropriate formal action was taken against the manager. “Complaints such as this are extremely rare within our organisation as a result of our excellent work on diversity and integration and we will continue to instil this culture of respect within our business.”

Wow. SMH. We hope this dude gets paid from this heffa and her inappropriate shenanigans.